WATERBURY, CT 26 FEBRUARY 2013-022713JS13--Crosby's Tyshon Rogers (10) lays in two of his game-high 24 points in front of Wilby's Devon McClellan (25) during the NVL tournament finals Wednesday at Wilby High School in Waterbury. Jim Shannon Republican-American

Tyshon Rogers is still working on perfecting his overall game, saying he can do a lot better with his ballhandling skills and perimeter game.

"I still can improve a lot," said Rogers, the Crosby High junior forward.

That's just being the perfectionist that he is.

Still, there is not much wrong with his game. For the past two seasons, Rogers has led the Naugatuck Valley League in scoring, including an average of 31.0 points per game this season.

Proving that he more than just a scorer, Rogers also averages eight rebounds, five steals and four assists.

Rogers will lead the fourth-seeded Bulldogs (22-1) at home against No. 29 Newtown on Monday at 7 p.m. in the first round of the CIAC Class LL Tournament.

"I didn't expect it at all," said Rogers of his scoring prowess. "I have just tried to come out and do my best and just go hard. It's not about scoring points. It's about playing hard and hustling all of the time. That's more important than points."

He learned that trait when he arrived at Crosby as a freshman and made the varsity right away. He cites the impact that former Crosby captain Marvin Hampton had on him.

"Marvin showed me the ropes and really helped me out," said Rogers.

While he didn't initially start, Rogers was given a chance to make the lineup and scored in double figures almost immediately.

"I needed to prove that I could play on the varsity because a lot of freshmen don't get that chance," said Rogers.

What has helped to elevate Rogers above the crowd is his abillty to run the floor, which helps create offensive opportunities. "I love attacking the basket," said Rogers.

Does he feel any pressure knowing that opposing teams will do everything they can to contain him?

"I don't feel any pressure at all," said Rogers. "Even if I don't score, I know that my teammates can handle it."

Rogers likes the chemistry of the Crosby starting five, which also includes Aseim King, Stephon Dunbar, Lex Perez and Devin Stallings.

"We're all very close and learned a lot from last year when we lost to Trumbull in the first round of the state tournament," said Rogers. "When we lost, it dropped our hearts. That was really tough to deal with. We thought we would go far. We knew that we had to come back stronger and better. I will leave that in the past and just think about the future. I feel the future is going to be real good."

With another year of high school left, Rogers isn't thinking too far into the future. But he does have a lofty individual goal, eclipsing 2,000 points. If he continues at his rapid pace, he's got an outside shot.

He's already on the 1,000-point career list on the wall at the Crosby Palace, joining boyhood idols, Damian Saunders, B.J. Monteiro and James "Bootsy" Moore.

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